Automatic bathroom flushers

ABSTRACT

An automatic bathroom flusher includes a body having an inlet in communication with a supply line and an outlet in communication with a flush conduit, a valve assembly in the body positioned to close water flow between the inlet and the outlet upon sealing action of a moving member at a valve seat thereby controlling flow from the inlet to the outlet, an actuator for actuating operation of the moving member, and a controller.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/859,750, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,437,778, which is a continuation of PCTApplicat. PCT/US02/38758, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/012,252, entitled “Adaptive Object-SensingSystem for Automatic Flushers” filed on Dec. 4, 2001; U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/012,226, entitled “Automatic Flow Controller EmployingEnergy-Conservation Mode” filed on Dec. 4, 2001; U.S. application Ser.No. 10/011,390, entitled “Assembly of Solenoid controlled Pilot-OperatedValve” filed on Dec. 4, 2001; U.S. application Ser. No. 60/012,252,entitled “Controlling a Solenoid Based on Current Time Profile” filed onMar. 5, 2002; U.S. application Ser. No. 60/391,282, entitled “HighFlow-Rate Diaphragm Valve And Control Method” filed on Jun. 24, 2002;and U.S. application Ser. No. 60/424,378 entitled “Automatic BathroomFlushers for Long-Term Operation” filed on Nov. 6, 2002; all of whichare incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to automatic bathroom flushers andmethods for operating and controlling such flushers.

2. Background Information

Automatic flow-control systems have become increasingly prevalent,particularly in public rest-room facilities, both toilets and urinals.Automatic faucets and flushers contribute to hygiene, facilitycleanliness, and water conservation. In such systems, object sensorsdetect the user and operate a flow-control valve in response to userdetection. In the case of an automatic faucet, for instance, presence ormotion of a user's hands in the faucet's vicinity normally results inflow from the faucet. In the case of an automatic flusher, detection ofthe fact that a user has approached the facility and then left istypically what triggers flushing action.

Although the concept of such object-sensor-based automatic flow controlis not new, its use has been quite limited until recently. The usage isbecoming more widespread due to the recent availability ofbattery-powered conversion kits. These kits make it possible for manualfacilities to be converted into automatic facilities through simple partreplacements that do not require employing electricians to wire thesystem to the supply grid. A consequence of employing suchbattery-powered systems is that the batteries eventually need to bereplaced.

There is still a need for automatic flushers that are highly reliableand can operate for a long time without any service or just minimalservice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The described inventions are directed to automatic bathroom flushers andmethods for operating and controlling such flushers.

According to one aspect, the present invention is a bathroom flusher.The bathroom flusher includes a body, a valve assembly, and an actuator.The body has an inlet and an outlet, and the valve assembly is locatedin the body and positioned to close water flow between the inlet and theoutlet upon sealing action of a moving member at a valve seat therebycontrolling flow from the inlet to the outlet. The actuator actuatesoperation of the moving member.

The moving member may be a high flow rate fram member, or a standarddiaphragm, or a piston. The bathroom flusher may further include aninfra-red sensor assembly for detecting a urinal or toilet user. Thebathroom flusher may further include different types ofelectromechanical, hydraulic, or only mechanical actuators.

According to another aspect, the present invention is a bathroom flusherthat includes a cover mounted upon said body and defining a pressurechamber with the valve assembly. The bathroom flusher may furtherinclude a flexible member fixed relative to the cover at one endthereof, the other end of the flexible member being attached to amovable member of the valve assembly, wherein there is a passage in saidflexible member arranged to reduce pressure in said pressure chamber.The flexible member may be a hollow tube.

Preferably, the bathroom flusher may include an automatic flow-controlsystem. The automatic flow-control system may employ infrared-light-typeobject sensors.

Another important aspect of the present inventions is a novel design ofan infrared-light-type object sensor including an indicator. In the IRsensor, an IR source (typically an infrared-light-emitting diode) ispositioned behind an infrared-light-transmitting aperture as to transmitthe infrared light into a target region. The indicator may be avisible-light-emitting diode included in an LED-combination device inwhich it is connected antiparallel to the infrared-light-emitting diode.When the combination device is driven in one direction, the infraredsource shines normally through an appropriate aperture. When the deviceis driven in the other direction, visible light instead shines throughthe same aperture as the infrared light did. This arrangement avoidsseparate provisions for the visible light's location or transmission.

Yet another important aspect of the present inventions is a novelalgorithm for operating an automatic flusher. The automatic flusheremploys an infrared-light-type object sensor for providing an output onthe basis of which a control circuit decides whether to flush a toilet.After each pulse of transmitted radiation, the control circuitdetermines if the resultant percentage of reflected radiation differssignificantly from the last, and determines whether the percentagechange was positive or negative. From the determined subsequent datahaving a given direction and the sums of the values, the control circuitdetermines whether a user has approached the facility and then withdrawnfrom it. Based on this determination, the controller operates theflusher's valve. That is, the control circuit determines the flushcriteria based on whether a period in which the reflection percentagedecreased (in accordance with appropriate withdrawal criteria) has beenpreceded by a period in which the reflection percentage increased (inaccordance with appropriate approach criteria). In this embodiment, thecontrol circuit does not base its determination of whether the user hasapproached the toilet on whether the reflection percentage has exceededa predetermined threshold, and it does not base a determination ofwhether the user has withdrawn from the toilet on whether the reflectionpercentage has fallen below a predetermined threshold.

Yet another important aspect of the present inventions is novel systemand method for storing or shipping the above-described automaticflushers. The automatic flushers may include an object sensor (e.g., anIR sensor) and a manual a push button actuator. When the flusher isoperational, the push button is designed for a user to provide signal tothe control circuit to open the flusher's valve. However, if the buttonactuator has been pressed continually for an extended period, thecontrol circuit assumes a sleep mode, in which its power consumption isnegligible. A storage or shipping container may be designed to activatethe button actuator while the container is closed. As a consequence, theflusher can be packed with the control circuit's batteries installedwithout draining those batteries significantly during shipping andstorage. Alternatively, the storage or shipping container may include anexternal magnet cooperatively arranged together with a reed sensorconnected to the control circuit. If the magnet continually activatesthe reed sensor for an extended period, the control circuit assumes thesleep mode, in which its power consumption is negligible. There are alsoother “sleep mode inducing” devices that allow batteries to be installedwithout draining battery power significantly during the shipping andstorage.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a novel valvedevice and the corresponding method for controlling flow-rate of fluidbetween the input and output ports of the valve device. A novel valvedevice includes a fluid input port and a fluid output port, a valvebody, and a fram assembly. The valve body defines a valve cavity andincludes a valve closure surface. The fram assembly provides twopressure zones and is movable within the valve cavity with respect aguiding member. The fram assembly is constructed to move to an openposition enabling fluid flow from the fluid input port to the fluidoutput port upon reduction of pressure in a first of the two pressurezones and is constructed to move to a closed position, upon increase ofpressure in the first pressure zone, creating a seal at the valveclosure surface.

According to preferred embodiments, the two pressure zones are formed bytwo chambers separated by the fram assembly, wherein the first pressurezone includes a pilot chamber. The guiding member may be a pin orinternal walls of the valve body.

The fram member (assembly) may include a pliable member and a stiffmember, wherein the pliable member is constructed to come in contactwith a valve closure surface to form seal (e.g., at a sealing liplocated at the valve closure surface) in the closed position. The valvedevice may include a bias member. The bias member is constructed andarranged to assist movement of the fram member from the open position tothe closed position. The bias member may be a spring.

The valve is controlled, for example, by an electromechanical operatorconstructed and arranged to release pressure in the pilot chamber andthereby initiate movement of the fram assembly from the closed positionto the open position. The operator may include a latching actuator (asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,516, which is incorporated byreference), a non-latching actuator (as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,305,662, which is incorporated by reference), or an isolated operator(as described in PCT Application PCT/US01/51098, which is incorporatedby reference). The valve may also be controlled may also including amanual operator constructed and arranged to release pressure in thepilot chamber and thereby initiate movement of the fram member from theclosed position to the open position.

The novel valve device including the fram assembly may be used toregulate water flow in an automatic or manual bathroom flusher.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a novelelectromagnetic actuator and a method of operating or controlling suchactuator. The electromagnetic actuator includes a solenoid wound aroundan armature housing constructed and arranged to receive an armatureincluding a plunger partially enclosed by a membrane. The armatureprovides a fluid passage for displacement of armature fluid between adistal part and a proximal part of the armature thereby enablingenergetically efficient movement of the armature between open and closedpositions. The membrane is secured with respect to the armature housingand is arranged to seal armature fluid within an armature pocket havinga fixed volume, wherein the displacement of the plunger (i.e., distalpart or the armature) displaces the membrane with respect to a valvepassage thereby opening or closing the passage. This enables low energybattery operation for a long time.

Preferred embodiments of this aspect include one or more of thefollowing features: The actuator may be a latching actuator (including apermanent magnet for holding the armature) of a non-latching actuator.The distal part of the armature is cooperatively arranged with differenttypes of diaphragm membranes designed to act against a valve seat whenthe armature is disposed in its extended armature position. Theelectromagnetic actuator is connected to a control circuit constructedto apply said coil drive to said coil in response to an output from anoptional armature sensor.

The armature sensor can sense the armature reaching an end position(open or closed position). The control circuit can direct application ofa coil drive signal to the coil in a first drive direction, and inresponsive to an output from the sensor meeting a predetermined firstcurrent-termination criterion to start or stop applying coil drive tothe coil in the first drive direction. The control circuit can direct orstop application of a coil drive signal to the coil responsive to anoutput from the sensor meeting a predetermined criterion.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a novelassembly of an electromagnetic actuator and a piloting button. Thepiloting button has an important novel function for achieving consistentlong-term piloting of a main valve. The present invention is also anovel method for assembling a pilot-valve-operated automatic flowcontroller that achieves a consistent long-term performance.

Method of assembling a pilot-valve-operated automatic flow controllerincludes providing a main valve assembly and a pilot-valve assemblyincluding a stationary actuator and a pilot body member that includes apilot-valve inlet, a pilot-valve seat, and a pilot-valve outlet. Themethod includes securing the pilot-valve assembly to the main valveassembly in a way that fluid flowing from a pressure-relief outlet ofthe main valve must flow through the pilot-valve inlet, past thepilot-valve seat, and through the pilot-valve outlet, whereby thepilot-valve assembly is positioned to control relief of the pressure inthe pressure chamber (i.e., pilot chamber) of the main valve assembly.The main valve assembly includes a main valve body with a main-valveinlet, a main-valve seat, a main-valve outlet, a pressure chamber (i.e.,a pilot chamber), and a pressure-relief outlet through which thepressure in the pressure chamber (pilot chamber) can be relieved. A mainvalve member (e.g., a diaphragm, a piston, or a fram member) is movablebetween a closed position, in which it seals against the main-valve seatthereby preventing flow from the main inlet to the main outlet, and anopen position, in which it permits such flow. During the operation, themain valve member is exposed to the pressure in the pressure chamber(i.e., the pilot chamber) so that the pressurized pilot chamber urgesthe main valve member to its closed position, and the unpressurizedpilot chamber (when the pressure is relieved using the pilot valveassembly) permits the main valve member to assume its open position.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a novelelectromagnetic actuator system. This electromagnetic actuator systemincludes an actuator, a controller, and an actuator sensor. The actuatorincludes a solenoid coil and an armature housing constructed andarranged to receive in a movable relationship an armature. Thecontroller is coupled to a power driver constructed to provide a drivesignal to the solenoid coil for displacing the armature and thereby openor close a valve passage for fluid flow. The actuator sensor isconstructed and arranged to sense a position of the armature and providea signal to the controller.

Preferred embodiments of this aspect include one or more of thefollowing features: The sensor is constructed to detect voltage inducedby movement of the armature. Alternatively, the sensor is constructedand arranged to detect changes to the drive signal due to the movementof the armature.

Alternatively, the sensor includes a resistor arranged to receive atleast a portion of the drive signal, and a voltmeter constructed tomeasure voltage across the resistor. Alternatively, the sensor includesa resistor arranged to receive at least a portion of the drive signal,and a differentiator receiving current flowing through the resistor.

Alternatively, the sensor includes a coil sensor constructed andarranged to detect the voltage induced by movement of the armature. Thecoil sensor may be connected in a feedback arrangement to a signalconditioner providing conditioned signal to the controller. The signalconditioner may include a preamplifier and a low-pass filter.

Alternatively, the system includes two coil sensors each constructed andarranged to detect the voltage induced by movement of the armature. Thetwo coil sensors may be connected in a feedback arrangement to adifferential amplifier constructed to provide a differential signal tothe controller.

The actuator sensor includes an optical sensor, a capacitance sensor, aninductance sensor, or a bridge for sensitively detecting a signal changedue to movement of the armature.

The actuator may have the armature housing constructed and arranged fora linear displacement of the armature upon the solenoid receiving thedrive signal. The actuator may be a latching actuator constructed tomaintain the armature in the open passage state without any drive signalbeing delivered to the solenoid coil. The latching actuator may includea permanent magnet arranged to maintain the armature in the open passagestate. The latching actuator may further include a bias springpositioned and arranged to bias the armature toward an extended positionproviding a close passage state without any drive signal being deliveredto the solenoid coil.

The controller may be constructed to direct the power driver to providethe drive signal at various levels depending on the signal from theactuator sensor. The drive signal may be current. The system may includea voltage booster providing voltage to the power driver.

The controller may be constructed to direct the power driver to providethe drive signal in a first drive direction and thereby create force onthe armature to achieve a first end position. The controller is alsoconstructed to determine whether the armature has moved in a firstdirection based on signal from the actuator sensor; and if the armaturehas not moved within a predetermined first drive duration, thecontroller directs application of the drive signal to the coil in thefirst direction at an elevated first-direction drive level that ishigher than an initial level of the drive signal.

The controller may be constructed to trigger the power driver to providethe drive signal in a first drive direction and thereby create force onthe armature to achieve a first end position. The controller is alsoconstructed to determine whether the armature has moved in a firstdirection based on signal from the actuator sensor; and if the armaturehas moved, the controller directs application of the drive signal to thecoil in the first direction at a first-direction drive level that isbeing lower than an initial level of the drive signal.

The actuator system may include the controller constructed to determinea characteristic of the fluid at the passage based on the signal fromthe actuator sensor. The characteristic of the fluid may be pressure,temperature, density, or viscosity. The actuator system may include aseparate a temperature sensor for determining temperature of the fluid.

The actuator system may include the controller constructed to determinea pressure of the fluid at the passage based on the signal from theactuator sensor. The actuator system may receive signals from anexternal motion sensor or a presence sensor coupled to the controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a toilet and an accompanying automaticflusher.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a urinal and an accompanying automaticflusher.

FIGS. 2A and 2B together form a cross-sectional view of a firstembodiment of the flusher.

FIGS. 2A and 3B together form a cross-sectional view of a secondembodiment of the flusher.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the flusher.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of the flusher's control circuitry.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a valve for controlling fluidflow in the flusher shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a perspective exploded view of the valve shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of the valveshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5C is an enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of the valveshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of an alternative version's transmitter andreceiver lenses and front circuit-housing part.

FIG. 6A is a cross-section taken at line 6A-6A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6B is an isometric view of a container that can be used for asubassembly of a flusher conversion kit.

FIG. 6C is a cross section taken at line 6C-6C of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6D is an isometric view of a container that may be employed for aflusher conversion kit of the type depicted in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

FIG. 6E is a detailed cross section of a button-depression deviceincluded in a container.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of an electromechanicalactuator for controlling any one of the valves shown in FIGS. 5 through5B.

FIG. 7A is a perspective exploded view of the electromechanical actuatorshown in FIG. 7

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a second embodiment of anelectromechanical actuator for controlling the valves shown in FIGS. 5through 6B.

FIG. 7C is a sectional view of a third embodiment of anelectromechanical actuator for controlling the valves shown in FIGS. 5through 6B.

FIG. 7D is a sectional view of another embodiment of a membrane used inthe actuator shown in FIGS. 7 through 7C.

FIGS. 7E is a sectional view of another embodiment of the membrane and apiloting button used in the actuator shown in FIGS. 7 through 7C.

FIG. 7F is a sectional view of another embodiment of an armature bobbinused in the actuator shown in FIGS. 7 through 7C.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a control system forcontrolling operation of the electromechanical actuator shown in FIGS.7, 7A, 7B or 7C.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of yet another embodiment of a control systemfor controlling operation of the electromechanical actuator shown inFIGS. 7, 7A, 7B or 7C.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of data flow to a microcontroller used in thefluid flow control system of FIGS. 8A or 8B.

FIGS. 9 and 9A show the relationship of current and time for the valveactuator shown in FIG. 7, 7A, 7B or 7C connected to a water line at 0psi and 120 psi reverse flow pressure, respectively.

FIG. 9B illustrates a dependence of the latch time on the water pressurefor the actuator shown in FIG. 7, 7A, 7B or 7C.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a flushing cycle used to control theflushers shown in FIGS. 2, 3 or 4.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the circuitry that the flusher uses todrive its light-emitting diodes.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C together form a simplified flow-charts a routinethat the control circuitry of FIG. 4A executes.

FIGS. 13A and 13B together form a more-detailed flow chart of a step inthe routine of FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C.

FIG. 14 illustrates a novel algorithm for controlling operation of theflushers

FIG. 15 is a front view of another embodiment of an automatic flusherand FIG. 15A is a cross-section taken at line 15A-15A in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a flusher 10 receives pressurized water from a supply line 12and employs an object sensor, typically of the infrared variety, torespond to actions of a target within a target region 14 by selectivelyopening a valve that permits water from the supply line 12 to flowthrough a flush conduit 16 to the bowl of a toilet 18. FIG. 1Aillustrates a flusher 10 for automatically flushing a urinal 18A. Asdescribed above, flusher 10 receives pressurized water from supply line12 and employs the object sensor to respond to actions of a targetwithin a target region 14A by selectively opening a valve that permitswater from the supply line 12 to flow through the flush conduit 16 tothe urinal 18A.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate in detail a first embodiment of automaticflusher 10. FIG. 2B shows supply line 12, which communicates with anannular entrance chamber 20 defined by an entrance-chamber wall 22formed near the flush conduit 16's upper end. A pressure cap 24 securedby a retaining ring 25 to the chamber housing clamps between itself andthat housing the outer edge 26 of a flexible diaphragm 28 seated on amain valve seat 30 formed by the flush conduit 16's mouth.

The supply pressure that prevails in the entrance chamber 20 tends tounseat the flexible diaphragm 28 and thereby cause it to allow waterfrom the supply line 12 to flow through the entrance chamber 20 into theflush conduit 16's interior 32. But the diaphragm 28 ordinarily remainsseated because of pressure equalization that a bleed hole 34 formed bythe diaphragm 28 tends to permit between the entrance chamber 20 and amain pressure chamber 36 formed by the pressure cap 24. Specifically,the pressure that thereby prevails in that upper chamber 36 exertsgreater force on the diaphragm 28 than the same pressure within entrancechamber 20 does, because the entrance chamber 20's pressure prevailsonly outside the flush conduit 16, whereas the pressure in the mainpressure chamber 36 prevails everywhere outside of a through-diaphragmfeed tube 38.

The flusher also include a solenoid-operated actuator assembly, that caninclude any known solenoid or can include an actuator assembly 40described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,293,516 or 6,305,662 both of which areincorporated by reference. Alternatively, the solenoid-operated actuatorassembly includes an isolated actuator assembly 40A described in detailin PCT Application PCT/US01/51098, filed on Oct. 25, 2001, which isincorporated by reference as if fully reproduced herein. The isolatedactuator assembly 40A is also in this application called a sealedversion of the operator.

To flush the toilet 18, the solenoid-operated actuator assembly 40controlled by circuitry 42 relieves the pressure in the main pressurechamber 38 by permitting fluid flow, in a manner to be described in moredetail below, between pilot entrance and exit passages 44 and 46 formedby the pressure cap 24's pilot-housing portion 48. A detaileddescription of operation is provided below.

FIG. 3 (formed by FIGS. 2A and 3B) illustrates in detail a secondembodiment of automatic flusher 10. This embodiment uses a novel highflow rate valve 600 (shown in FIG. 3B) utilizing a fram assemblydescribed in detail in connection with FIG. 5C below. Referring to FIGS.2A and 3B, automatic flusher 10 receives water input from supply line12, which is in communication with a pliable member 628 supported by asupport member 632 of a fram member 626. Grooves 638 and 638A providewater passages to a pilot chamber 642. The actuator relieves pressure inpilot chamber 642 and thus initiate opening of valve 600. Then waterflows from input line 12 by a valve seat 625 to output chamber 32. Theentire flushing cycle is controlled by the solenoid-operated actuatorassembly 40 controlled by circuitry 42, shown in FIG. 2A. A detaileddescription of operation is provided below.

FIG. 4 illustrates in detail a third embodiment of automatic flusher 10.Automatic flusher 10 is a high performance, electronically controlled ormanually controlled tankless flush system. Water enters thru input union12, preferably made of a suitable plastic resin. Union 12 is attachedvia thread to input fitting 12A that interacts with the building watersupply system. Furthermore, union 12 is designed to rotate on its ownaxis when no water is present so as to facilitate alignment with theinlet supply line.

Referring still to FIG. 4, union 12 is attached to an inlet pipe 64 by afastener 60 and a radial seal 62, which enables union 12 to move in orout along inlet pipe 64. This movement can align the inlet to the supplyline. However, with fastener 60 secured, there is pressure applied bythe junction of union 12 to inlet 60. This forms a unit that is rigidand sealed through seal number 62. The water supply travels throughunion 12 to inlet 64 and thru the inlet valve assembly in the directionof elements 76, 78, 70, 72, and 74. Automatic flusher 10 also includesan inlet screen filter 80, which resides in a passage formed by member82 and is in communication with a main valve seat 525, the operation ofthe entire main valve is described in connection with FIGS. 5, 5A and5B.

As described in connection with FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, an electro-magneticactuator 50 controls operation of the main valve. In the opened state,water flows thru passage 528 thru passage 528A thru passage 528B intomain outlet 32. In the closed state, the fram element 528 seals thevalve main seat 525.

Automatic flusher 10 includes an adjustable input valve 72 controlled byrotation of a valve element 54 threaded together with valve elements 514and 540, which are sealed from body 54 via o-ring seals 84 and 54A.Valve elements 514 and 540 of the assembly are held down by threadedelement 52, when element 52 is threaded all the way. The resulting forcepresses down element 82 on valve element 72 therefore creating a pathfrom inlet 78 to passage of body 82. When valve element 52 is unthreadedall the way, valve assembly 514 and 540 moves up due to the force of thespring located in the adjustable valve 70. The spring force combinedwith fluid pressure from inlet 78 forces element 72 against seat 72Aresulting in a sealing action. Seal element 74 blocks the flow of waterto inner passage of 82, which in turn enables servicing of all internalvalve elements including elements 82, 50, 514, 50, and 528 without theneed to shut off the water supply at the inlet 12. This is a majoradvantage of this embodiment.

According to another function of adjustable valve 70, the threadedretainer is fastened part way resulting in valve body elements 514 and82 to push down valve seat 72 only partly. There is a partial openingthat provides a flow restriction reducing the flow of input water thruvalve 70. This novel function is designed to meet application specificrequirements. In order to provide for the installer the flowrestriction, the inner surface of valve body 54 includes applicationspecific marks such as 1.6 W.C., 1.0 GPF urinals etc.

Automatic flusher 10 includes a sensor-based electronic flush systemlocated in housing 144 and described in connection with FIG. 2A.Furthermore, the sensor-based electronic flush system may be replaced byan all mechanical activation button or lever. Alternatively, the flushvalve may be controlled by a hydraulically timed mechanical actuatorthat acts upon a hydraulic delay arrangement. Such hydraulic system canreside in housing 144. The hydraulic system can be adjusted to a delayperiod corresponding to the needed flush volume for a given fixture sucha 1.6 GPF W.C etc. The hydraulic delay mechanism can open the outletorifice of the pilot section instead of electromagnetic actuator 50(shown in FIG. 4) for duration equal to the installer preset value.

Alternatively, control circuitry 42 can be modified so that the sensoryelements housed in housing 144 are replaced with a timing controlcircuit. Upon activation of the flusher by an electromechanical switch(or a capacitance switch), the control circuitry initiates a flush cycleby activating electromagnetic actuator 50 for duration equal to thepreset level. This level can be set at the factory or by the installerin the field. This arrangement can be combined with the static pressuremeasurement scheme described below for compensating the pressureinfluence upon the desired volume per each flush.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 has several advantages. The hydraulic or theelectromechanical control system can be serviced without the need toshut off the water supply to the unit. Furthermore, the valve mechanismenables controlling the quantity of fluid that is passed thru the unit.The main flush valve includes the design shown in detail in connectionwith FIGS. 5, 5A, and 5B. This flush valve arrangement provides for ahigh flow rate (for its valve size) when compared to conventionaldiaphragm type flush valves, as shown in FIG. 2B.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 provides fluid control valves in combinationwith a low power bi-stable electro magnetic actuator that combined withthe described control circuitry can precisely control the deliveredwater volume per each flush. As described below, the capability ofmeasuring fluid static pressure and in turn altering the main valve opentime controls dynamically the delivered volume. That is, this system candeliver a selected water volume regardless of the pressure variation inthe water supply line.

The system can include a flexible conducting spring contact arrangementfor converting electrical control signals from the control electronicsto the electro magnetic actuator without the use of a wire/connectorarrangement. The system can also enable actuation of the main flushvalve using a direct mechanical lever or a mechanical level actuatingupon a hydraulic delay arrangement that in turn acts upon the main valvepilot arrangement. The individual functions are described in detailbelow.

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a valve 500 used in thefaucet embodiment shown in FIG. 3 or 4. Valve device 500 includes avalve body 513 providing a cavity for a valve assembly 514, an inputport 518, and an output port 520. Valve assembly 514 includes a proximalbody 522, a distal body 524, and a fram member 526 (FIG. 5A). Frammember 526 includes a pliable member 528 and a support member 532.Pliable member 528 may be a diaphragm-like member with a sliding seal530. Support member 532 may be plunger-like member or a piston likemember, but having a different structural and functional properties thata conventional plunger or piston. Valve assembly 514 also includes aguiding member such as a guide pin 536 or sliding surfaces, and includesa spring 540.

Proximal body 522 includes threaded surface 522A cooperatively sizedwith threaded surface 524A of distal body 524. Fram member 526 (and thuspliable member 528 and a plunger-like member 532) includes an opening527 constructed and arranged to accommodate guiding pin 536. Fram member526 defines a pilot chamber 542 arranged in fluid communication withactuator cavity 550 via control passages 544A and 544B. Actuator cavity550 is in fluid communication with output port 520 via a control passage546. Guide pin 536 includes a V-shaped or U-shaped groove 538 shaped andarranged together with fram opening 527 (FIG. 5A) to provide a pressurecommunication passage between input chamber 519 and pilot chamber 550.

Referring still to FIG. 5, distal body 524 includes an annular lip seal525 arranged, together with pliable member 528, to provide a sealbetween input port chamber 529 and output port chamber 521. Distal body524 also includes one or several flow channels 517 providingcommunication (in open state) between input chamber 519 and outputchamber 521. Pliable member 528 also includes sealing members 529A and529B arranged to provide a sliding seal, with respect to valve body 522,between pilot chamber 542 and output chamber 521. There are variouspossible embodiments of seals 529A and 529B (FIG. 5). This seal may beone-sided as seal 530 (shown in FIG. 5A) or two-sided seal 529 a and 529b shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, there are various additional embodimentsof the sliding seal including O-ring etc.

The present invention envisions valve device 10 having various sizes.For example, the “full” size embodiment, shown in FIG. 5B, has the pindiameter A=0.070″, the spring diameter B=0.360″, the pliable memberdiameter C=0.730″, the overall fram and seal's diameter D=0.812″, thepin length E=0.450″, the body height F=0.380″, the pilot chamber heightG=0.280″, the fram member size H=0.160″, and the fram excursionI=0.100″. The overall height of the valve is about 1.39″ and diameter isabout 1.178″.

The “half size” embodiment (of the valve shown in FIG. 5B) has thefollowing dimensions provided with the same reference letters (each alsoincluding a subscript 1). In the “half size” valve A₁=0.070″, B₁=0.30,C₁=0.560″, D₁=0.650″, E₁=0.38″, F₁=0.310″, G₁=0.215″, H₁=0.125″, andI₁=0.60″. The overall length of the ½ embodiment is about 1.350″ and thediameter is about 0.855″. Similarly, the valve devices of FIG. 5B or 5Cmay have various larger or smaller sizes.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5B, valve 500 receives fluid at input port 518,which exerts pressure onto diaphragm-like members 528 providing a sealtogether with a lip member 525 in a closed state. Groove passage 538provides pressure communication with pilot chamber 542, which is incommunication with actuator cavity 550 via communication passages 544Aand 544B. An actuator (shown in FIGS. 5C, 7) provides a seal at surface548 thereby sealing passages 544A and 544B and thus pilot chamber 542.When the plunger of actuator 142 or 143 moves away from surface 548,fluid flows via passages 544A and 544B to control passage 546 and tooutput port 520. This causes pressure reduction in pilot chamber 542.Therefore, diaphragm-like member 528 and piston-like member 532 movelinearly within cavity 542, thereby providing a relatively large fluidopening at lip seal 525. A large volume of fluid can flow from inputport 518 to output port 520.

When the plunger of actuator 142 or 143 seals control passages 544A and544B, pressure builds up in pilot chamber 542 due to the fluid flow frominput port 518 through groove 538. The increased pressure in pilotchamber 542 together with the force of spring 540 displace linearly, ina sliding motion over guide pin 536, fram member 526 toward sealing lip525. When there is sufficient pressure in pilot chamber 542,diaphragm-like pliable member 528 seals input port chamber 519 at lipseal 525. Preferably, soft member 528 is designed to clean groove 538 ofguide pin 536 during the sliding motion.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 shows valve 500 having input chamber 519 (andguide pin 536) symmetrically arranged with respect to passages 544A,544B and 546 (and the location of the plunger of actuator 701. However,valve device 500 may have input chamber 519 (and guide pin 536)non-symmetrically arranged with respect to passages 544A, 544B (notshown) and passage 546. That is, this valve has input chamber 519 (andguide pin 536) non-symmetrically arranged with respect to the locationof the plunger of actuator 142 or 143. The symmetrical andnon-symmetrical embodiments are equivalent.

Referring to FIG. 5C, valve device 600 includes a valve body 613providing a cavity for a valve assembly 614, an input port 618, and anoutput port 620. Valve assembly 614 includes a proximal body 602, adistal body 604, and a fram member or assembly 626. Fram member 626includes a pliable member 628 and a support member 632. Pliable member628 may be a diaphragm-like member with a sliding seal 630. Supportmember 632 may be plunger-like member or a piston like member, buthaving a different structural and functional properties that aconventional plunger or piston. Valve body 602 provides a guide surface636 located on the inside wall that includes one or several grooves 638and 638A. These are novel grooves constructed to provide fluid passagesfrom input chamber located peripherally (unlike the central inputchamber shown in FIGS. 5 and 5B).

Fram member 626 defines a pilot chamber 642 arranged in fluidcommunication with actuator cavity 650 via control passages 644A and644B. Actuator cavity 650 is in fluid communication with output chamber621 via a control passage 646. Groove 638 (or grooves 638 and 638A)provides a communication passage between input chamber 619 and pilotchamber 642. Distal body 604 includes an annular lip seal 625co-operatively arranged with pliable member 628 to provide a sealbetween input port chamber 619 and output port chamber 621. Distal body624 also includes a flow channel 617 providing communication (in theopen state) between input chamber 619 and output chamber 621 for a largeamount of fluid flow. Pliable member 628 also includes sealing members629A and 629B (or one sided sealing member depending on the pressureconditions) arranged to provide a sliding seal with respect to valvebody 622, between pilot chamber 642 and input chamber 619. (Of course,groove 638 enables a controlled flow of fluid from input chamber 619 topilot chamber 642, as described above.)

We now turn to the system for controlling the operator. Regarding theembodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, as FIG. 2A shows, theoperator-control circuitry 42 is contained in a circuit housing formedof three parts, a front piece 116, a center piece 118, and a rear piece120. Screws not shown secure the front piece 116 to the center piece118, to which the rear piece 120 is in turn secured by screws such asscrew 122. That screw threadedly engages a bushing 124 ultrasonicallywelded into a recess that the center housing piece 118 forms for thatpurpose. A main circuit board 126, on which are mounted a number ofcomponents such as a capacitor 128 and a microprocessor not shown, ismounted in the housing. An auxiliary circuit board 130 is in turnmounted on the main circuit board 126. Mounted on the auxiliary board130 is a light-emitting diode 132, which a transmitter hood 134 alsomounted on that board partially encloses.

The front circuit-housing piece 116 forms a transmitter-lens portion136, which has front and rear polished surfaces 138 and 140. Thetransmitter-lens portion focuses infrared light from light-emittingdiode 132 through an infrared-transparent window 144 formed in theflusher housing 146. FIG. 1's pattern 148 represents the resultantradiation-power distribution. A receiver lens 152 formed by part 116 sofocuses received light onto a photodiode 154 mounted on the main circuitboard 126 that FIG. 1's pattern 150 of sensitivity to light reflectedfrom targets results.

Like the transmitter light-emitting diode 132, the photodiode 154 isprovided with a hood, in this case hood 156. The hoods 134 and 156 areopaque and tend to reduce noise and crosstalk. The circuit housing alsolimits optical noise; its center and rear parts 118 and 120 are made ofopaque material such as Lexan 141 polycarbonate, while its front piece116, being made of transparent material such as Lexan OQ2720polycarbonate so as to enable it to form effective lenses 136 and 152,has a roughened and/or coated exterior in its non-lens regions thatreduces transmission through it. An opaque blinder 158 mounted on frontpiece 116 leaves a central aperture 160 for infrared-light transmissionfrom the light-emitting diode 132 but otherwise blocks straytransmission that could contribute to crosstalk. Also to preventcrosstalk, an opaque stop 162 is secured into a slot provided for thatpurpose in the circuit housing's front part 116.

The arrangement of FIG. 2A, in which the transmitter and receiver lensesare formed integrally with part of the circuit housing, can affordmanufacturing advantages over arrangements in which the lenses areprovided separately from the housing. But it may be preferable in someembodiments to make the lenses separate, because doing so affordsgreater flexibility in material selection for both the lens and thecircuit housing. FIGS. 6 and 6A are front-elevational andcross-sectional views of an alternative that uses this approach. Thatalternative includes a front circuit housing piece 116′ separate fromlenses 136′ and 152′. The housing part 116′ forms a teardrop-shaped rim164 that cooperates during assembly with a similarly shaped flange 166on lens 136′ to orient that lens properly in its position on ateardrop-shaped shoulder 168 to which it is then welded ultrasonically.Referring to FIG. 6A, the teardrop shape ensures that the lens isoriented properly. The receiver lens 152 is mounted similarly. Since thefront circuit-housing part 116′ and lenses 136′ and 152′ do not need tobe made of the same material, housing part 116′ can be made of an opaquematerial so that blinders 170 and a stop 172 can be formed integrallywith it. As was mentioned in connection with FIG. 2A, the circuithousing contains circuitry that controls the valve operator as well asother flusher components.

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram of that circuitry. Amicrocontroller-based control circuit 180 operates a peripheral circuit182 that controls the valve operator. Transmitter circuitry 184,including FIG. 2's light-emitting diode 132, is also operated by thecontrol circuit 180, and receiver circuitry 186 includes the photodiode154 and sends the control circuit its response to resultant echoes.Although the circuitry of FIG. 4A can be so implemented as to run onhouse power, it is more typical for it to be battery-powered, and FIG.4A explicitly shows a battery-based power supply 188 because the controlcircuit 180, as will be explained below, not only receives regulatedpower from the power supply but also senses its unregulated power forpurposes to be explained below. It also controls application of thesupply's power to various of the FIG. 4A circuit's constituent parts.

Since the circuitry is most frequently powered by battery, an importantdesign consideration is that power not be employed unnecessarily. As aconsequence, the microcontroller-based circuitry is ordinarily in a“sleep” mode, in which it draws only enough power to keep certainvolatile memory refreshed and operate a timer 190. In the illustratedembodiment, that timer 190 generates an output pulse every 250 msec.,and the control circuit responds to each pulse by performing a shortoperating routine before returning to the sleep mode. FIGS. 12A and 12B(together, “FIG. 12”) form a flow chart that illustrates certain ofthose operations' aspects in a simplified fashion.

The automatic flushers shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 may utilize variousembodiments of the isolated actuator, shown in FIGS. 7, 7B and 7C.Isolated actuator 701 includes an actuator base 716, a ferromagneticpole piece 725, a ferromagnetic armature 740 slideably mounted in anarmature pocket formed inside a bobbin 714. Ferromagnetic armature 740includes a distal end 742 (i.e., plunger 742) and an armature cavity 750having a coil spring 748. Coil spring 748 includes reduced ends 748 aand 748 b for machine handling. Ferromagnetic armature 740 may includeone or several grooves or passages 752 providing communication from thedistal end of armature 740 (outside of actuator base 716) to armaturecavity 750 and to the proximal end of armature 740, at the pole piece725, for easy movement of fluid during the displacement of the armature.

Isolated actuator body 701 also includes a solenoid windings 728 woundabout solenoid bobbin 714 and magnet 723 located in a magnet recess 720.Isolated actuator body 701 also includes a resiliently deformable O-ring712 that forms a seal between solenoid bobbin 714 and actuator base 716,and includes a resiliently deformable O-ring 730 that forms a sealbetween solenoid bobbin 714 and pole piece 725, all of which are heldtogether by a solenoid housing 718. Solenoid housing 718 (i.e., can 718)is crimped at actuator base 16 to hold magnet 723 and pole piece 725against bobbin 714 and thereby secure windings 728 and actuator base 716together.

Isolated actuator 700 also includes a resilient membrane 744 that mayhave various embodiments shown and described in connection with FIGS. 7Dand 7E. As shown in FIG. 7, resilient membrane 764 is mounted betweenactuator base 716 and a piloting button 705 to enclose armature fluidlocated a fluid-tight armature chamber in communication with an armatureport 752. Resilient membrane 764 includes a distal end 766, O-ring likeportion 767 and a flexible portion 768. Distal end 766 comes in contactwith the sealing surface in the region 708. Resilient membrane 764 isexposed to the pressure of regulated fluid provided via conduit 706 inpiloting button 705 and may therefore be subject to considerableexternal force. Furthermore, resilient membrane 764 is constructed tohave a relatively low permeability and high durability for thousands ofopenings and closings over many years of operation.

Referring to still to FIG. 7, isolated actuator 701 is provided, forstorage and shipping purposes, with a cap 703 sealed with respect to thedistal part of actuator base 716 and with respect to piloting button 705using a resiliently deformable O-ring 732. Storage and shipping cap 703includes usually water that counter-balances fluid contained byresilient membrane 744; this significantly limits or eliminatesdiffusion of fluid through resilient membrane 744.

Referring still to FIG. 7, actuator base 716 includes a wide baseportion substantially located inside can 718 and a narrowed baseextension threaded on its outer surface to receive cap 703. The innersurface of the base extension threadedly engages complementary threadsprovided on the outer surface of piloting button 705. Membrane 764includes a thickened peripheral rim 767 located between the baseextension 32's lower face and piloting button 705. This creates afluid-tight seal so that the membrane protects the armature fromexposure to external fluid flowing in the main valve.

For example, the armature liquid may be water mixed with a corrosioninhibitor, e.g., a 20% mixture of polypropylene glycol and potassiumphosphate. Alternatively, the armature fluid may include silicon-basedfluid, polypropylene polyethylene glycol or another fluid having a largemolecule. The armature liquid may in general be any substantiallynon-compressible liquid having low viscosity and preferablynon-corrosive properties with respect to the armature. Alternatively,the armature liquid may be Fomblin or other liquid having low vaporpressure (but preferably high molecular size to prevent diffusion).

If there is anticorrosive protection, the armature material can be alow-carbon steel, iron or any soft magnetic material; corrosionresistance is not as big a factor as it would otherwise be. Otherembodiments may employ armature materials such as the 420 or 430 seriesstainless steels. It is only necessary that the armature consistessentially of a ferromagnetic material, i.e., a material that thesolenoid and magnet can attract. Even so, it may include parts, such as,say, a flexible or other tip, that is not ferromagnetic.

Resilient membrane 764 encloses armature fluid located a fluid-tightarmature chamber in communication with an armature port 752 or 790formed by the armature body. Furthermore, resilient membrane 764 isexposed to the pressure of regulated fluid in main valve and maytherefore be subject to considerable external force. However, armature740 and spring 750 do not have to overcome this force, because theconduit's pressure is transmitted through membrane 764 to theincompressible armature fluid within the armature chamber. The forcethat results from the pressure within the chamber thereforeapproximately balances the force that the conduit pressure exerts.

Referring still to FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B and 7C, armature 740 is free to movewith respect to fluid pressures within the chamber between the retractedand extended positions. Armature port 752 or 790 enables theforce-balancing fluid displaced from the armature chamber's lower wellthrough the spring cavity 750 to the part of the armature chamber fromwhich the armature's upper end (i.e. distal end) has been withdrawn uponactuation. Although armature fluid can also flow around the armature'ssides, arrangements in which rapid armature motion is required shouldhave a relatively low-flow-resistance path such as the one that port 752or 790 helps form. Similar considerations favor use of anarmature-chamber liquid that has relatively low viscosity. Therefore,the isolated operator (i.e., actuator 700) requires for operation onlylow amounts of electrical energy and is thus uniquely suitable forbattery operation.

In the latching embodiment shown in FIG. 7, armature 740 is held in theretracted position by magnet 723 in the absence of a solenoid current.To drive the armature to the extended position therefore requiresarmature current of such a direction and magnitude that the resultantmagnetic force counteracts that of the magnet by enough to allow thespring force to prevail. When it does so, the spring force movesarmature 740 to its extended position, in which it causes the membrane'sexterior surface to seal against the valve seat (e.g., the seat ofpiloting button 705). In this position, the armature is spaced enoughfrom the magnet that the spring force can keep the armature extendedwithout the solenoid's help.

To return the armature to the illustrated, retracted position andthereby permit fluid flow, current is driven through the solenoid in thedirection that causes the resultant magnetic field to reinforce that ofthe magnet. As was explained above, the force that the magnet 723 exertson the armature in the retracted position is great enough to keep itthere against the spring force. However, in the non-latching embodimentthat doesn't include magnet 723, armature 740 remain in the retractedposition only so long as the solenoid conducts enough current for theresultant magnetic force to exceed the spring force of spring 748.

Advantageously, diaphragm membrane 764 protects armature 740 and createsa cavity that is filled with a sufficiently non-corrosive liquid, whichin turn enables actuator designers to make more favorable choicesbetween materials with high corrosion resistance and high magneticpermeability. Furthermore, membrane 764 provides a barrier to metal ionsand other debris that would tend to migrate into the cavity.

Diaphragm membrane 764 includes a sealing surface 766, which is relatedto the seat opening area, both of which can be increased or decreased.The sealing surface 766 and the seat surface of piloting button 705 canbe optimized for a pressure range at which the valve actuator isdesigned to operate. Reducing the sealing surface 766 (and thecorresponding tip of armature 740) reduces the plunger area involved insqueezing the membrane, and this in turn reduces the spring forcerequired for a given upstream fluid-conduit pressure. On the other hand,making the plunger tip area too small tends to damage diaphragm membrane764 during valve closing over time. Preferable range of tip-contact areato seat-opening area is between 1.4 and 12.3. The present actuator issuitable for variety of pressures of the controlled fluid. includingpressures about 150 psi. without any substantial modification, the valveactuator may be used in the range of about 30 psi to 80 psi, or evenwater pressures of about 125 psi.

Referring still to FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B and 7C, piloting button 705 has animportant novel function for achieving consistent long-term piloting ofthe diaphragm valve shown in FIG. 2B, or the fram valve shown in FIG.3B. Solenoid actuator 701 together with piloting button 705 areinstalled together as one assembly into the electronic flusher; thisminimizes the pilot-valve-stroke variability at the pilot seat in region708 (FIGS. 7, 7B and 7C) with respect to the closing surface (shown indetail in FIG. 7E), which variability would otherwise afflict thepiloting operation. This installation is faster and simpler than priorart installations.

The assembly of operator 701 and piloting button 705 is usually puttogether in a factory and is permanently connected thereby holdingdiaphragm membrane 764 and the pressure loaded armature fluid (atpressures comparable to the pressure of the controlled fluid). Pilotingbutton 705 is coupled to the narrow end of actuator base 716 usingcomplementary threads or a sliding mechanism, both of which assurereproducible fixed distance between distal end 766 of diaphragm 764 andthe sealing surface of piloting button 705. The coupling of operator 701and piloting button 705 can be made permanent (or rigid) using glue, aset screw or pin. Alternatively, one member my include an extendingregion that is used to crimp the two members together after screwing orsliding on piloting button 705.

It is possible to install solenoid actuator 701 without piloting button705, but this process is somewhat more cumbersome. Without pilotingbutton 705, the installation process requires first positioning thepilot-valve body with respect to the main valve and then securing to theactuator assembly onto the main valve as to hold the pilot-valve body inplace. If proper care is not taken, there is some variability in theposition of the pilot body due to various piece-part tolerances andpossible deformation. This variability creates variability in thepilot-valve member's stroke. In a low-power pilot valve, even relativelysmall variations can affect timing or possibly sealing force adverselyand even prevent the pilot valve from opening or closing at all. Thus,it is important to reduce this variability during installation, fieldmaintenance, or replacement. On the other hand, when assembling solenoidactuator 701 with piloting button 705, this variability is eliminated orsubstantially reduced during the manufacturing process, and thus thereis no need to take particular care during field maintenance orreplacement.

As described above, the main valve assembly includes a main valve bodywith a main-valve inlet, a main-valve seat, a main-valve outlet, apressure chamber (i.e., a pilot chamber), and a pressure-relief outletthrough which the pressure in the pressure chamber (pilot chamber) canbe relieved, wherein the main valve member can be diaphragm 28 (FIG.2B), a piston, or a fram member (FIG. 3B or FIG. 4), all of which aremovable between a closed position, in which the main valve member sealsagainst the main-valve seat thereby preventing flow from the main inlet(e.g., input 12 in FIGS. 2B, 3B or 4) to the main outlet (e.g., output34 in FIGS. 2B, 3B or 4).

Referring to FIGS. 7D and 7E, as described above, diaphragm membrane 764includes an outer ring 767, flex region 768 and tip or seat region 766.The distal tip of the plunger is enclosed inside a pocket flange behindthe sealing region 766. Preferably, diaphragm membrane 764 is made ofEPDM due to its low durometer and compression set by NSF part 61 andrelatively low diffusion rates. The low diffusion rate is important toprevent the encapsulated armature fluid from leaking out duringtransportation or installation process. Alternatively, diaphragm member764 can be made out of a flouro-elastomer, e.g., VITON, or a soft, lowcompression rubber, such as CRI-LINE® flouro-elastomer made by CRI-TECHSP-508. Alternatively, diaphragm member 764 can be made out of aTeflon-type elastomer, or just includes a Teflon coating. Alternatively,diaphragm member 764 can be made out NBR (natural rubber) having ahardness of 40-50 durometer as a means of reducing the influence ofmolding process variation yielding flow marks that can form micro leaksof the contained fluid into the surrounding environment. Alternatively,diaphragm member 764 includes a metallic coating that slows thediffusion thru the diaphragm member when the other is dry and exposed toair during storage or shipping of the assembled actuator.

Preferably, diaphragm member 764 has high elasticity and low compression(which is relatively difficult to achieve). Diaphragm member 764 mayhave some parts made of a low durometer material (i.e., parts 767 and768) and other parts of high durometer material (front surface 766). Thelow compression of diaphragm member 764 is important to minimize changesin the armature stroke over a long period of operation. Thus, contactpart 766 is made of high durometer material. The high elasticity isneeded for easy flexing diaphragm member 764 in regions 768.Furthermore, diaphragm part 768 is relatively thin so that the diaphragmcan deflect, and the plunger can move with very little force. This isimportant for long-term battery operation.

Referring to FIG. 7E, another embodiment of diaphragm membrane 764 canbe made to include a forward slug cavity 772 (in addition to the rearplunger cavity shaped to accommodate the plunger tip). The forward slugcavity 772 is filled with a plastic or metal slug 774. The forwardsurface 770 including the surface of slug 774 is cooperatively arrangedwith the sealing surface of piloting button 705. Specifically, thesealing surface of piloting button 705 may include a pilot seat 709 madeof a different material with properties designed with respect to slug774. For example, high durometer pilot seat 709 can be made of a highdurometer material. Therefore, during the sealing action, resilient andrelatively hard slug 772 comes in contact with a relatively soft pilotseat 709. This novel arrangement of diaphragm membrane 764 and pilotingbutton 705 provides for a long term, highly reproducible sealing action.

Diaphragm member 764 can be made by a two stage molding process. whereby the outer portion is molded of a softer material and the innerportion that is in contact with the pilot seat is molded of a harderelastomer or thermo-plastic material using an over molding process. Theforward facing insert 774 can be made of a hard injection moldedplastic, such as acceptable co-polymer or a formed metal disc of anon-corrosive non-magnetic material such as 300 series stainless steel.In this arrangement, pilot seat 709 is further modified such that itcontains geometry to retain pilot seat geometry made of a relativelyhigh durometer elastomer such as EPDM 60 durometer. By employing thisdesign that transfers the sealing surface compliant member onto thevalve seat of piloting button 705 (rather than diaphragm member 764),several key benefits are derived. Specifically, diaphragm member 764 avery compliant material. There are substantial improvements in theprocess related concerns of maintaining proper pilot seat geometryhaving no flow marks (that is a common phenomena requiring carefulprocess controls and continual quality control vigilance). This designenables the use of an elastomeric member with a hardness that isoptimized for the application.

FIG. 7F is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an armaturebobbin used in the actuator shown in FIGS. 7 through 7C. The bobbin'sbody is constructed to have low permeability to the armature fluid. Forexample, bobbin 714 includes metallic regions 713, which are in contactwith the armature fluid, and plastic regions 713 a, which are not incontact with the armature fluid.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a fluid flow control system for alatching actuator 801. The flow control system includes againmicrocontroller 814, power switch 818, solenoid driver 820. As shown inFIG. 7, latching actuator 701 includes at least one drive coil 728 woundon a bobbin and an armature that preferably is made of a permanentmagnet. Microcontroller 814 provides control signals 815A and 815B tocurrent driver 820, which drives solenoid 728 for moving armature 740.Solenoid driver 820 receives DC power from battery 824 and voltageregulator 826 regulates the battery power to provide a substantiallyconstant voltage to current driver 820. Coil sensors 843A and 843Bpickup induced voltage signal due to movement of armature 740 andprovide this signal to a conditioning feedback loop that includespreamplifiers 845A, 845B and flow-pass filters 847A, 847B. That is, coilsensors 843A and 843B are used to monitor the armature position.

Microcontroller 814 is again designed for efficient power operation.Between actuations, microcontroller 814 goes automatically into a lowfrequency sleep mode and all other electronic elements (e.g., inputelement or sensor 818, power driver 820, voltage regulator or voltageboost 826, signal conditioner 822) are powered down. Upon receiving aninput signal from, for example, a motion sensor, microcontroller 814turns on a power consumption controller 819. Power consumptioncontroller 819 powers up signal conditioner that provides power tomicrocontroller 814.

Also referring to FIG. 7, to close the fluid passage 708,microcontroller 814 provides a “close” control signal 815A to solenoiddriver 820, which applies a drive voltage to the coil terminals.Provided by microcontroller 814, the “close” control signal 815Ainitiates in solenoid driver 820 a drive voltage having a polarity thatthe resultant magnetic flux opposes the magnetic field provided bypermanent magnet 723. This breaks the magnet 723's hold on armature 740and allows the return spring 748 to displace valve member 740 towardvalve seat 708. In the closed position, spring 748 keeps diaphragmmember 764 pressed against the valve seat of piloting button 705. In theclosed position, there is an increased distance between the distal endof armature 740 and pole piece 725. Therefore, magnet 723 provides asmaller magnetic force on the armature 740 than the force provided byreturn spring 748.

To open the fluid passage, microcontroller 814 provides an “open”control signal 815B (i.e., latch signal) to solenoid driver 820. The“open” control signal 815B initiates in solenoid driver 820 a drivevoltage having a polarity that the resultant magnetic flux opposes theforce provided by bias spring 748. The resultant magnetic fluxreinforces the flux provided by permanent magnet 723 and overcomes theforce of spring 748. Permanent magnet 723 provides a force that is greatenough to hold armature 740 in the open position, against the force ofreturn spring 748, without any required magnetic force generated by coil728.

Referring to FIG. 8, microcontroller 814 discontinues current flow, byproper control signal 815A or 815B applied to solenoid driver 820, afterarmature 740 has reached the desired open or closed state. Pickup coils843A and 843B (or any sensor, in general) monitor the movement (orposition) of armature 740 and determine whether armature 740 has reachedits endpoint. Based on the coil sensor data from pickup coils 843A and843B (or the sensor), microcontroller 814 stops applying the coil drive,increases the coil drive, or reduces the coil drive.

To open the fluid passage, microcontroller 814 sends OPEN signal 815B topower driver 820, which provides a drive current to coil 842 in thedirection that will retract armature 740. At the same time, coils 843Aand 843B provide induced signal to the conditioning feedback loop, whichincludes a preamplifier and a low-pass filter. If the output of adifferentiator 849 indicates less than a selected threshold calibratedfor armature 740 reaching a selected position (e.g., half distancebetween the extended and retracted position, or fully retractedposition, or another position), microcontroller 814 maintains OPENsignal 815B asserted. If no movement of armature 740 is detected,microcontroller 814 can apply a different level of OPEN signal 815B toincrease the drive current (up to several time the normal drive current)provided by power driver 820. This way, the system can move armature740, which is stuck due to mineral deposits or other problems.

Microcontroller 814 can detect armature displacement (or even monitorarmature movement) using induced signals in coils 843A and 843B providedto the conditioning feedback loop. As the output from differentiator 849changes in response to the displacement of armature 740, microcontroller814 can apply a different level of OPEN signal 815B, or can turn offOPEN signal 815B, which in turn directs power driver 820 to apply adifferent level of drive current. The result usually is that the drivecurrent has been reduced, or the duration of the drive current has beenmuch shorter than the time required to open the fluid passage underworst-case conditions (that has to be used without using an armaturesensor). Therefore, the system of FIG. 8 saves considerable energy andthus extends life of battery 824.

Advantageously, the arrangement of coil sensors 843A and 843B can detectlatching and unlatching movement of armature 740 with great precision.(However, a single coil sensor, or multiple coil sensors, or capacitivesensors may also be used to detect movement of armature 740.)Microcontroller 814 can direct a selected profile of the drive currentapplied by power driver 820. Various profiles may be stored in,microcontroller 814 and may be actuated based on the fluid type, fluidpressure, fluid temperature, the time actuator 840 has been in operationsince installation or last maintenance, a battery level, input from anexternal sensor (e.g., a movement sensor or a presence sensor), or otherfactors.

Optionally, microcontroller 814 may include a communication interfacefor data transfer, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a USBport, of a wireless communication interface (e.g., an RF interface). Thecommunication interface is used for downloading data to microcontroller814 (e.g., drive curve profiles, calibration data) or for reprogrammingmicrocontroller 814 to control a different type of actuation orcalculation.

Referring to FIG. 7, electromagnetic actuator 701 is connected in areverse flow arrangement when the water input is provided via passage706 of piloting button 705. Alternatively, electromagnetic actuator 701is connected in a forward flow arrangement when the water input isprovided via passage 710 of piloting button 705 and exits via passage706. In the forward flow arrangement, the plunger “faces directly” thepressure of the controlled fluid delivered by passage 710. That is, thecorresponding fluid force acts against spring 748. In both forward andreverse flow arrangements, the latch or unlatch times depend on thefluid pressure, but the actual latch time dependence is different. Inthe reverse flow arrangement, the latch time (i.e., time it takes toretract plunger 740) increases with the fluid pressure substantiallylinearly, as shown in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, in the forward flowarrangement, the latch time decreases with the fluid pressure. Based onthis latch time dependence, microcontroller 814 can calculate the actualwater pressure and thus control the water amount delivery.

FIG. 8A schematically illustrates a fluid flow control system foranother embodiment of the latching actuator. The flow control systemincludes again microcontroller 814, power consumption controller 819,solenoid driver 820 receiving power from a battery 824 or voltagebooster 826, and an indicator 828. Microcontroller 814 operates in bothsleep mode and operation mode, as described above. Microcontroller 814receives an input signal from an input element 818 (or any sensor) andprovides control signals 815A and 815B to current driver 820, whichdrives the solenoid of a latching valve actuator 701. Solenoid driver820 receives DC power from battery 824 and voltage regulator 826regulates the battery power. A power monitor 872 monitors power signaldelivered to the drive coil of actuator 701 and provides a powermonitoring signal to microcontroller 814 in a feedback arrangementhaving operational amplifier 870. Microcontroller 814 and powerconsumption controller 819 are designed for efficient power operation,as described above.

Also referring to FIG. 8A, to close the fluid passage, microcontroller814 provides a “close” control signal 815A to solenoid driver 820, whichapplies a drive voltage to the actuator terminals and thus drivescurrent through coil 728. Power monitor 872 may be a resistor connectedfor applied drive current to flow through (or a portion of the drivecurrent) Power monitor 872 may alternatively be a coil or anotherelement. The output from power monitor 872 is provided to thedifferentiator of signal conditioner 870. The differentiator is used todetermine a latch point, as shown in FIG. 9A.

Similarly as described in connection with FIG. 8, to open the fluidpassage, microcontroller 814 sends CLOSE signal 815A or OPEN signal 815Bto valve driver 820, which provides a drive current to coil 728 in thedirection that will extent or retract armature 740 (and close or openpassage 708). At the same time, power monitor 872 provides a signal toopamp 870. Microcontroller 814 determines if armature 740 reached thedesired state using the power monitor signal. For example, if the outputof opamp 870 initially indicates no latch state for armature 740,microcontroller 814 maintains OPEN signal 815B, or applies a higherlevel of OPEN signal, as described above, to apply a higher drivecurrent. On the other hand, if armature 740 reached the desired state(e.g., latch state shown in FIG. 9A), microcontroller 814 applies alower level of OPEN signal 815B, or turns off OPEN signal 815B. Thisusually reduces the duration of drive current or the level of the drivecurrent as compared to the time or current level required to open thefluid passage under worst case conditions. Therefore, the system of FIG.8A saves considerable energy and thus extends life of battery 824.

Referring to FIG. 10, flow diagram 900 illustrates the operation ofmicrocontroller 814 during a flushing cycle. Microcontroller 814 is in asleep mode, as described above. Upon an input signal from the inputelement or external sensor, microcontroller 814 is initialed and thetimer is set to zero (step 902). In step 904, if the valve actuatorperforms a full flush, the time T_(bas) equals T_(full) (step 906). Ifthere is no full flush, the timer is set in step 910 to T_(bas) equalsT_(half). In step 912, microcontroller samples the battery voltage priorto activating the actuator in step 914. After the solenoid of theactuator is activated, microcontroller 814 searches for the latchingpoint (see FIG. 9 or 9A). When the timer reaches the latching point(step 918), microcontroller 814 deactivates the solenoid (step 920). Instep 922, based on the latch time, microcontroller 814 calculates thecorresponding water pressure, using stored calibration data. Based onthe water pressure and the known amount of water discharged by the tankflusher, the microcontroller decides on the unlatch time, (i.e., closingtime) of the actuator (step 926). After the latching time is reached,microcontroller 14 provides the “close” signal to current driver 820(step 928). After this point the entire cycle shown in flow diagram 900is repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, blocks 200 and 202 represent the factthat the controller remains in its sleep mode until timer 190 generatesa pulse. When the pulse occurs, the processor begins executing storedprogramming at a predetermined entry point represented by block 204. Itproceeds to perform certain initialization operations exemplified byblock 206's step of setting the states of its various ports and block208's step of detecting the state of FIG. 2's push button 210. That pushbutton, which is mounted on the flusher housing 146 for readyaccessibility by a user, contains a magnet 210 a whose proximity to themain circuit board 126 increases when the button is depressed. Thecircuit board includes a reed switch 211 that, as FIG. 6 suggests,generates an input to the control circuit in response to the resultantincreased magnetic field on circuit board 126.

Push button 210's main purpose is to enable a user to operate theflusher manually. As FIG. 12's blocks 212, 214, 216, 217, and 218indicate, the control circuit 180 ordinarily responds to that button'sbeing depressed by initiating a flush operation if one is not already inprogress, and if the button has not been depressed continuously for theprevious thirty seconds.

This thirty-second condition is imposed in order to allow batteries tobe installed during manufacture without causing significant energy drainbetween the times when the batteries are installed in the unit and whenthe unit is installed in a toilet system. Specifically, packaging forthe flusher can be so designed that, when it is closed, it depresses thepush button 210 and keeps it depressed so long as the packaging remainsclosed. It will typically have remained closed in this situation formore than thirty seconds, so, as FIG. 12's block 220 shows, thecontroller returns to its sleep mode without having caused any powerdrain greater than just enough to enable the controller to carry out afew instructions. That is, the controller has not caused power to beapplied to the several circuits used for transmitting infrared radiationor driving current through the flush-valve operator.

Among the ways in which the sleep mode conserves power is that themicroprocessor circuitry is not clocked, but some power is still appliedto that circuitry in order to maintain certain minimal register state,including predetermined fixed values in several selected register bits.When batteries are first installed in the flusher unit, though, not allof those register bits will have the predetermined values. Block 222represents determining whether those values are present. If not, thenthe controller concludes that batteries have just been installed, and itenters a power-up mode, as block 224 indicates.

The power-up mode deals with the fact that the proportion of sensorradiation reflected back to the sensor receiver in the absence of a userdiffers in different environments. The power-up mode's purpose is toenable an installer to tell the system what that proportion is in theenvironment is which the flusher has been installed. This enables thesystem thereafter to ignore background reflections. During the power-upmode, the object sensor operates without opening the valve in responseto target detection. Instead, it operates a visible LED whenever itdetects a target, and the installer adjusts, say, a potentiometer to setthe transmitter's power to a level just below that at which, in theabsence of a valid target, the visible LED's illumination nonethelessindicates that a target has been detected. This tells the system whatlevel will be considered the maximum radiation level permissible forthis installation.

Among the steps involved in entering this power-up mode is to applypower to certain subsystems that must remain on continually if they areto operate. Among these, for instance, is the sensor's receiver circuit.Whereas the infrared transmitter needs only to be pulsed, and power neednot be applied to it between pulses, the receiver must remain poweredbetween pulses so that it can detect the pulse echoes.

Another subsystem that requires continuous power application in theillustrated embodiment is a low-battery detector. As was mentionedabove, the control circuitry receives an unregulated output from thepower supply, and it infers from that output's voltage whether thebattery is running low, as block 226 indicates. If it is low, then avisible-light-emitting diode or some other annunciator, represented inFIG. 4A by block 228, is operated to give the user an indication of thelow-battery state.

Now, the battery-check operation that block 226 represents can bereached without the system's having performed block 224's operation inthe same cycle, so block 226's battery-check operation is followed bythe step, represented by block 230, of determining whether the systemcurrently is in the power-up mode.

In the illustrated embodiment, the system is arranged to operate in thispower-up mode for ten minutes, after which the installation process haspresumably been completed and a visible target-detection indicator is nolonger needed. If, as determined in the block-230 operation, the systemis indeed in the power-up mode, it performs block 232's step ofdetermining whether it has been in that mode for more than ten minutes,the intended length of the calibration interval. If so, it resets thesystem so that it will not consider itself to be in the power-up modethe next time it awakens.

For the current cycle, though, it is still in its power-up mode, and itperforms certain power-up-mode operations. One of those, represented byblock 234, is to determine from the unregulated power-supply outputwhether any of the batteries have been installed in the wrong direction.If any have, the system simply goes back to sleep, as block 236indicates. Otherwise, as block 238 indicates, the system checks itsmemory to determine whether it has commanded the valve operator fivetimes in a row to close the flush valve, as the illustrated embodimentrequires in the power-up mode. We have found that thus ordering thevalve to close when the system is first installed tends to preventinadvertent flushing during initial installation.

As block 242 indicates, the system then determines whether a target hasbeen detected. If is has, the system sets a flag, as block 244indicates, to indicate that the visible LED should be turned on andthereby notify the installer of this fact. This completes thepower-up-mode-specific operations.

The system then proceeds with operations not specific to that mode. Inthe illustrated embodiment, those further operations actually areintended to be performed only once every second, whereas the timer wakesthe system every 250 msec. As block 246 indicates, therefore, the systemdetermines whether a full second has elapsed since the last time itperformed the operations that are to follow. If not, the system simplygoes back to sleep, as block 248 indicates.

If a full second has elapsed, on the other hand, the system turns on avisible LED if it had previously set some flag to indicate that thisshould be that LED's state. This operation, represented by blocks 250and 252, is followed by block 254's step of determining whether thevalve is already open. If it is, the routine calls a further routine,represented by block 256, in which it consults timers, etc. to determinewhether the valve should be closed. If it should, the routine closes thevalve. The system then returns to the sleep mode.

If the valve is not already open, the system applies power, as block 258indicates, to the above-mentioned subsystems that need to have powerapplied continuously. Although that power will already have been appliedif this step is reached from the power-up mode, it will not yet havebeen applied in the normal operating mode.

That power application is required at this point because the subsystemthat checks battery power needs it. That subsystem's output is thentested, as blocks 260 and 262 indicate. If the result is a conclusionthat battery power is inadequate, then the system performs block 264'sand block 266's steps of going back to sleep after setting a flag toindicate that it has assumed the power-up mode. Setting the flag causesany subsequent wake cycle to include closing the valve and therebyprevents uncontrolled flow that might otherwise result from a powerloss.

Now, it is desirable from a maintenance standpoint for the system not togo too long without flushing. If twenty-four hours have elapsed withoutthe system's responding to a target by flushing, the routine thereforecauses a flush to occur and then goes to sleep, as blocks 268, 270, and272 indicate. Otherwise, the system transmits infrared radiation intothe target region and senses any resultant echoes, as block 274indicates. It also determines whether the resultant sensed echo meetscertain criteria for a valid target, as block 276 indicates.

The result of this determination is then fed to a series of tests,represented by block 278, for determining whether flushing should occur.A typical test is to determine whether a user has been present for atleast a predetermined minimum time and then has left, but several othersituations may also give rise to a determination that the valve shouldbe opened. If any of these situations occurs, the system opens thevalve, as block 280 indicates. If the visible LED and analog power areon at this point, they are turned off, as block 282 indicates. As block284 indicates, the system then goes to sleep.

Block 276's operation of determining whether a valid target is presentincludes a routine that FIGS. 13A and 13B together, (“FIG. 13”) depict.If, as determined in the step represented by that drawing's block 288,the system is in its power-up mode, then a background gain isestablished in the manner explained above. Block 290 representsdetermining that level.

The power-up mode's purpose is to set a background level, not to operatethe flush valve, so the background-determining step 290 is followed bythe block-292 operation of resetting a flag that, if set, would causeother routines to open the flush valve. The FIG. 13 routine thenreturns, as block 294 indicates.

If the step of block 288 instead indicates that the system is not in thepower-up mode, the system turns to obtaining an indication of whatpercentage of the transmitted radiation is reflected back to the sensor.Although any way of obtaining such an indication is suitable for usewith the present invention, a way that tends to conserve power is tovary the transmitted power in such a way as to find thetransmitted-power level that results in a predetermined set value ofreceived power. The transmitted-power level thereby identified is an(inverse) indication of the reflection percentage. By employing thisapproach, the system can so operate as to limit its transmission powerto the level needed to obtain a detectable echo.

In principle, the illustrated embodiment follows this approach. Inpractice, the system is arranged to transmit only at certain discretepower levels, so it in effect identifies the pair of discretetransmitted-power levels in response to which the reflected-power levelsbracket the predetermined set value of received power. Specifically, itproceeds to block 296's and block 298's steps of determining whether theintensity of the reflected infrared light exceeds a predeterminedthreshold and, if it does, reducing the system's sensitivity—typicallyby reducing the transmitted infrared-light intensity—until thereflected-light intensity falls below the threshold. The result is thehighest gain value that yields no target indication.

In some cases, though, the reflected-light intensity falls below thethreshold even when, if the sensitivity were to be increased anyfurther, the system would (undesirably) detect background objects, suchas stall doors, whose presence should not cause flushing. The purpose ofblock 290's step was to determine what this sensitivity was, and thesteps represented by blocks 300 and 302 set a no-target flag if theinfrared echo is less than the threshold even with the gain at thismaximum, background level. As the drawing shows, this situation alsoresults in the flush flag's being reset and the routine's immediatelyreturning.

If the block-300 step instead results in an indication that the echointensity can be made lower than the threshold return only if thesensitivity is below the background level, then there is a target thatis not just background, and the routine proceeds to steps that imposecriteria intended to detect when a user has left the facility afterhaving used it. To impose those criteria, the routine maintains apush-down stack onto which it pushes entries from time to time. Eachentry has a gain field, a timer field, and an in/out field.

Block 304 represents determining whether the absolute value of thedifference between the current gain and the gain listed in the top stackentry exceeds a threshold gain change. If it does not, the current callof this routine results in no new entry's being pushed onto the stack,but the contents of the existing top entry's timer field areincremented, as block 306 indicates. If the block-304 step's result isinstead that the gain change's absolute value was indeed greater thanthe threshold, then the routine pushes a new entry on to the stack,placing the current gain in that entry's gain field and giving the timerfield the value of zero. In short, a new entry is added whenever thetarget's distance changes by a predetermined step size, and it keepstrack of how long the user has stayed in roughly the same place withoutmaking a movement as great as that step size.

As blocks 310, 312, and 314 indicate, the routine also gives the entry'sin/out field an “out” value, indicating that the target is moving awayfrom the flusher, if the current gain exceeds the previous entry's gain,and it gives that field an “in” value if the current gain is less thanthe previous entry's gain. In either case, the routine then performs theblock-306 step of incrementing the timer (to a value of “1”) and movesfrom the stack-maintenance part of the routine to the part in which thevalve-opening criteria are actually applied.

Block 316 represents applying the first criterion, namely, whether thetop entry's in/out field indicates that the target is moving away. Ifthe target does not meet this criterion, the routine performs theblock-292 step of setting the flush flag to the value that will causesubsequent routines not to open the flush valve, and the routinereturns, as block 294 indicates. If that criterion is met, on the otherhand, the routine performs block 318's step of determining whether thetop entry and any immediately preceding entries indicating that thetarget is moving away are preceded by a sequence of a predeterminedminimum number of entries that indicated that the target was moving in.If they were not, then it is unlikely that a user had actuallyapproached the facility, used it, and then moved away, so the routineagain returns after resetting the flush flag. Note that the criterionthat the block-318 step applies is independent of absolute reflectionpercentage; it is based only on reflection-percentage changes, requiringthat the reflection percentage traverse a minimum range as it increases.

If the step of block 318 instead determines that the requisite number ofinward-indicating entries did precede the outward-indicating entries,then the routine imposes the block-320 criterion of determining whetherthe last inward-movement-indicating entry has a timer value representingat least, say, 5 seconds. This criterion is imposed to prevent a flushfrom being triggered when the facility was not actually used. Again, theroutine returns after resetting the flush flag if this criterion is notmet.

If it is met, on the other hand, then the routine imposes the criteriaof blocks 322, 324, and 326, which are intended to determine whether auser has moved away adequately. If the target appears to have moved awayby more then a threshold amount, as determined by block 322, or hasmoved away slightly less but has appeared to remain at that distance forgreater then a predetermined duration, as determined in blocks 324 and326, then, as block 328 indicates, the routine sets the flush flagbefore returning. Otherwise, it resets the flush flag.

The test of FIG. 13 is typically only one of the various tests that FIG.12B's operation 276 includes. But it gives an example of how theillustrated system reduces problems that variations in user-clothingcolors would otherwise make more prevalent. As a perusal of FIG. 13reveals, a determination of whether a user has arrived and/or left isbased not on absolute gain values but rather on relative values, whichresult from comparing successive measurements. This reduces the problem,which afflicts other detection strategies more severely, of greatersensitivity to light-colored clothing than to dark-colored clothing.

It was mentioned above that the illustrated system employs avisible-light-emitting diode (“visible LED”). In most cases, the visibleLED's location is not crucial, so long as a user can really see itslight. One location, for instance, could be immediately adjacent to thephotodiode; FIG. 4A shows a non-roughened region 330 in the flange ofreceiver-lens part 152′, and the visible LED could be disposed inregistration with this region. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, though, nosuch separate visible LED is apparent. The reason why is that thevisible LED in that embodiment is provided as a part of acombination-LED device 132, which also includes the transmitter'sinfrared source.

To operate the two-color LED, transmitter and annunciator circuits 184and 228 (FIG. 4A) together take the form shown in FIG. 11. Thatcircuitry is connected to the two-color LED's terminals 332 and 334. Thecontrol circuit separately operates the two-color LED'sinfrared-light-emitting diode D1 and the visible-light-emitting diode D2by driving control lines 336, 338, and 340 selectively. Specifically,driving line 340 high turns on transistors Q1 and Q2 and thereby drivesthe visible-light-emitting diode D2, at least if line 338 is held highto keep transistor Q3 turned off. If line 340 is driven low, on theother hand, and line 338 is also driven low, theninfrared-light-emitting diode D1 is allowed to conduct, with a powerthat is determined by the voltage applied to a line 336 that controlstransistor Q4.

It was stated above in connection with FIG. 12's blocks 214, 217, and220 that the system goes to sleep if the push button has remaineddepressed for over 30 seconds. FIG. 6 illustrates packaging that takesadvantage of this feature to keep power use negligible before the kit isinstalled, even if the kit includes installed batteries while it is ininventory or being transported. To adapt a previously manual system toautomatic operation, a prospective user may acquire a flow controllerthat, for example, contains all of the elements depicted in FIG. 2Aexcept the through-diaphragm feed tube 38. This flow controller,identified by reference numeral 348 in FIG. 6D, is delivered in acontainer comprising a generally rectangular cardboard box 350. Thebox's top includes an inner flap 352, which is closed first, and anouter flap 354, which is closed over the inner flap. Tabs 356 that fitinto slots 358 provided in the box body keep the box closed. To keep thebutton depressed while the box is closed, the box is provided with abutton activator 360 so mounted on the inner flap 352 that it registerswith the push button 310 when that flap is closed. The package may beprovided with inserts, not shown, to ensure that the flow controller'spush button registers correctly with the activator.

FIG. 6E is a detailed cross-sectional view of the button activator 360showing it mounted on the inner flap 352 with the outer flap 354 closedover it. The illustrated activator 360 is typically a generally circularplastic part. It forms an annular stop ring 362, which engages the topof the flow controller's housing 146 (FIG. 2A) to ensure that a centralprotuberance 364 depresses the push button by only the correct amount.To mount the activator 360 in the inner flap, it is provided with abarbed post 366. Post 366 forms a central slot 368 that enables it todeform so that its barbs can fit through a hole 370 in the inner flap352. The outer flap 354 forms another hole 372 to accommodate the barbedpost 366.

Other arrangements may place the button actuator elsewhere in thecontainer. It may be placed on the container's bottom wall, for example,and the force of the top flaps against the flow controller.

Now, it sometimes occurs that the batteries are placed into the circuiteven before it is assembled into the housing, and the circuit with thebatteries installed may need to be shipped to a remote location for thatassembly operation. Since there is as yet no housing, the circuitrycannot be kept asleep by keeping the housing's button depressed. Forsuch situations, an approach that FIGS. 6B and 6C depict can beemployed.

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6D, but the contents 376 of FIG. 6B'spackage 350′ are only a subset of the kit 348 that the package 350contains. They may, for instance, exclude FIG. 2's housing 146 as wellas the pressure cap 24 and the solenoid and pilot-valve members mountedon it. So the package 350′ in the FIG. 6B embodiment does not include abutton activator like the one that the box 350 includes. Instead, asFIG. 6C shows, a magnet 380 is glued to the inner surface of the package350's bottom wall 382, and a hole 384 in an insert board 386 that restson the bottom wall 382 receives the magnet.

The circuit assembly 376, which FIG. 6C omits for the sake ofsimplicity, is so placed into the package that the circuits reed switchis disposed adjacent to the magnet. That switch is therefore closed justas it is when the push button is operated, and the circuit thereforeremains asleep.

FIGS. 15 and 15A illustrate another embodiment of an automatic flusherincluding a flexible tube that eliminates dynamic seal 38 used in theflusher described in connection with FIG. 2. The automatic controllershown schematically in FIG. 15 transmitter and receiver lenses and frontcircuit-housing part (see FIG. 6) described above. The automatic flusherincludes the isolated operator 701 in a side (perpendicular) position.

The flush valve body is indicated at 10 and may have an inlet opening 12and a bottom directed outlet opening 14. The area between the undersideof the inner cover 1030 and the upper side of the diaphragm 1032 forms apressure chamber 1038. The pressure of the water within this chamberholds the diaphragm 1032 upon a seat 1040 formed at the upper end ofbarrel which forms a conduit between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14.

Details of this operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,179, aswell as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,309,781 and 4,793,588. Water flow throughthe inlet 12 reaches the pressure chamber 38 through a filter and bypassring, the details of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,182.Thus, water from the flush valve inlet reaches the pressure chamber, tomaintain the diaphragm in a closed position, and the pressure chamberwill be vented by the operation of the solenoid as water will flowupwardly through passage 44 (FIG. 2A), then into chamber 46 and thenthrough the passage in the flex tube as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,382,586, which is incorporated by reference.

The flex tube 1050 is hollow and in the form of a flexible sleeve. Thesleeve includes a coiled spring 1052, which prevents the tube fromcollapsing due to water pressure flowing downwardly through the disc ofthe assembly. At its upper end, the flex tube 1050 is attached to aninner cover adaptor or another element.

Seated on top of the upper end of the guide is a refill head with thediaphragm 1032 being captured between the upper surface of the refillhead and a lower surface of a radially outwardly extending portion ofthe disc. The diaphragm, the disc and the guide, will all move togetherwhen pressure is relieved in chamber 1038 and the diaphragm movesupwardly to provide a direct connection between flush valve inlet 12 andflush valve outlet 14. When this takes place, the disc will move up andwill carry with it the lower end of the flex tube 1050. Thus, the flextube must bend as its upper end is fixed within the passage of the innercover 1030. However, the flex tube always provides a reliable ventpassage for operation of the valve assembly.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An electromagnetic actuator system, comprising: anactuator including a solenoid coil and an armature housing constructedand arranged to receive in a movable relationship an armature; acontroller coupled to a power driver constructed to provide a drivesignal to said solenoid coil for displacing said armature and therebyopen or close a valve passage for fluid flow; and an actuator sensorconstructed and arranged to sense a position of said armature andprovide a signal to said controller.
 22. The actuator system of claim 21wherein said sensor is constructed to detect voltage induced by movementof said armature.
 23. The actuator system of claim 22 wherein saidsensor is constructed and arranged to detect changes to said drivesignal due to the movement of said armature.
 24. The actuator system ofclaim 22 wherein said sensor includes a resistor arranged to receive atleast a portion of said drive signal, and a voltmeter constructed tomeasure voltage across said resistor.
 25. The actuator system of claim22 wherein said sensor includes a coil sensor constructed and arrangedto detect said voltage induced by movement of said armature.
 26. Theactuator system of claim 25 wherein said coil sensor is connected in afeedback arrangement to a signal conditioner providing conditionedsignal to said controller.
 27. The actuator system of claim 26 whereinsaid signal conditioner includes a preamplifier and a low-pass filter.28. The actuator system of claim 22 wherein said sensor includes twocoil sensors each constructed and arranged to detect said voltageinduced by movement of said armature.
 29. The actuator system of claim28 wherein said coil sensors are connected in a feedback arrangement toa differential amplifier constructed to provide a differential signal tosaid controller.
 30. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein saidactuator sensor includes an optical sensor.
 31. The actuator system ofclaim 21 wherein said actuator sensor includes a capacitance sensor. 32.The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said actuator sensor includes abridge for sensitively detecting a signal change due to movement of saidarmature.
 33. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said armaturehousing is constructed and arranged for a linear displacement of saidarmature upon said solenoid receiving said drive signal.
 34. Theactuator system of claim 33 wherein said actuator is a latching actuatorconstructed to maintain said armature in said open passage state withoutany drive signal being delivered to said solenoid coil.
 35. The actuatorsystem of claim 34 wherein said latching actuator includes a permanentmagnet arranged to maintain said armature in said open passage state.36. The actuator system of claim 14 wherein said latching actuatorfurther includes a bias spring positioned and arranged to bias saidarmature toward an extended position providing a close passage statewithout any drive signal being delivered to said solenoid coil.
 37. Theactuator system of claim 21 further including a presence sensor coupledto said controller.
 38. A valve device, comprising: a fluid input portand a fluid output port; a valve body defining a valve cavity andincluding a valve closure surface; and a fram assembly providing twopressure zones and being movable within said valve cavity with respect aguiding member; said fram assembly being constructed to move to an openposition enabling fluid flow from said fluid input port to said fluidoutput port upon reduction of pressure in a first of said pressurezones; and being constructed to move to a closed position, upon increaseof pressure in said first pressure zone, creating a seal at said valveclosure surface.
 39. The valve device of claim 38, wherein said twopressure zones include two chambers separated by said fram assembly andwherein said first pressure zone includes a pilot chamber.
 40. The valvedevice of claim 39 including an operator constructed and arranged torelease pressure in said pilot chamber and thereby initiate movement ofsaid fram member from said closed position to said open position. 41.The valve device of claim 40, wherein said operator includes a latchingactuator.
 42. The valve device of claim 40, wherein said operatorincludes a non-latching actuator.
 43. The valve device of claim 40,wherein said operator includes an actuator having an isolation membranefor containing fluid inside a plunger cavity of said actuator.
 44. Thevalve device of claim 38 wherein said fram assembly includes a pliablemember and a stiff member, said pliable member being constructed to comein contact with said valve closure surface to form said seal in saidclosed position.
 45. The valve device of claim 44, wherein said valveclosure surface includes a lip providing said seal in said closedposition.
 46. The valve device of claim 38 including a bias member. 47.The valve device of claim 44 wherein said bias member is constructed andarranged to assist movement of said fram member from said open positionto said closed position.
 48. The valve device of claim 44 wherein saidbias member includes a spring. 49-51. (canceled)